Rocuronium (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 4, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Zemuron

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Musculoskeletal Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Neuromuscular Blocker, Non-Depolarizing

Uses for rocuronium

Rocuronium injection is used with general anesthesia medicines for rapid sequence intubation and routine tracheal intubation. Rocuronium is also used to help relax the muscles during surgery or mechanical ventilation.

Rocuronium is to be given only by your doctor or other trained health professional.

Before using rocuronium

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For rocuronium, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to rocuronium or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of rocuronium injection in children. However, use of rocuronium in children for rapid sequence intubation is not recommended.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of rocuronium injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have residual neuromuscular block or blood circulation problems, which may require caution in patients receiving rocuronium.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving rocuronium, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using rocuronium with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Amikacin
• Bacitracin
• Capreomycin
• Colistimethate Sodium
• Dibekacin
• Epinephrine
• Fosphenytoin
• Framycetin
• Gentamicin
• Isepamicin
• Kanamycin
• Neomycin
• Netilmicin
• Phenytoin
• Polymyxin B
• Procainamide
• St John's Wort
• Streptomycin
• Tobramycin

Using rocuronium with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may ...